Everton are looking to do a deal for Leeds United star Jack Harrison but could consider making an offer for another Elland Road player this summer after Leeds failed to get promoted.
Leeds need to sell a number of their players after reports emerged that the club owe almost £200m in player transfers. Promotion would have seen Leeds use TV money to pay their debts to other clubs.
But instead, Leeds will now have to sort out the problem by selling players in order to raise the required funds. The 49ers will start by looking to sell Victor Orta’s loan army, those that left on loan last summer.
The club are confident that the form of Marc Roca, Max Wober, Harrison and Diego Llorente will at least earn the club some cash from permanent sales. Harrison has been a key member of Sean Dyche’s Everton.
Then, it might be that Leeds have to sell a number of current Elland Road stars and GOAL report that The Toffees could look to raid The Whites for another player, alongside a move for Harrison this summer.
Everton could sign Willy Gnonto after Jack Harrison deal
Everton’s sporting director Kevin Thelwell has already confirmed that there are plans in place to keep Harrison at Goodison Park beyond his loan. Whether that is another loan, or a sale, remains to be seen.
But Everton are confident of doing a deal for the former Manchester City man. However, they could look to reunite Harrison and Gnonto on Merseyside, having tried to sign Italy winger Gnonto last summer.
The Mail said over the weekend that Gnonto refused to play for Leeds last August against Birmingham, Shrewsbury and West Brom because Leeds rejected Everton’s bids for him, reaching almost £20m.
Gnonto is already looking to leave Leeds after Southampton loss
A few days before the play-off final, Gnonto received a bit of news that will have convinced him to leave Elland Road if the club were not promoted to the Premier League on Sunday afternoon at Wembley.
Gnonto has been out of Italy’s senior squad since September, following the drop into The Championship. Indeed, he has been with the 21’s since and will know he needs top-tier football to get back in.
But Gnonto missed out on Euro 2024 with the squad announced last week and that will have convinced him he needs to go. Everton could now go back in after failing to get the pocket-sized star last summer.